HARRELLS — Cody Cavenaugh is sitting behind the controls of the massive CH-53-E Super Stallion helicopter positioned on a vacant space on the campus of Harrells Christian Academy trying to imagine himself in the position of many military personnel. Cavenaugh, along with fellow HCA junior Joel Warren, are having a bit of fun pretending to fly the massive air hog while their classmates talk with a host of United States Marines, from the New River Marine Corps Air Station in Jacksonville, who visited the school Monday.

“It is really pretty cool,” Cavenaugh says as he slips on the pilot’s helmet. “We are the future of the United States.”

While Cavenaugh and Warren are having fun in the cockpit, the Marines were at the school Monday for a specific reason — to educate the students about all armed forces.

Just two days before the nation celebrates Veterans Day, the soldiers are also celebrating the fact that for the first time in the school’s history, Harrells will recognize the holiday.

“In past years, we have not paid or given the proper respect to Veterans Day as maybe we should have. It has not been a vacation day or a day of remembrance on our calendar,” admitted HCA headmaster Dr. Ron Montgomery. “This year is the first year, and it will be that way for the years to follow.”

The public schools are mandated by law to be closed for the Veterans Day holiday. Private schools aren’t under the same directive.

The idea to recognize the holiday came from a letter written last year by HCA religion educator Georgiana Pinckney, whose husband, Chris, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marines.

“The school here has never been involved with Veterans Day,” said Pinckney. “Last year, I wrote a letter to the board and asked them to please consider it as a day off this year. They said ‘yes’ with the intention that we educate the kids on why they have it off.”

The school did writing assignments about the importance of the holiday (see winning essays in Wednesday’s Sampson Independent) and welcomed guest speakers who were wounded war veterans last Friday. The event culminated with Monday’s visit from the 16 soldiers, who popped into every classroom in the school, discussing everything from the effects of war to why all soldiers have short haircuts.

“To be so close, but yet so far away, is really what it is,” said Lt. Col. Chris Pinckney. “Even though these students are so close to these bases, they really don’t have a chance to mingle with soldiers ... They are in the middle of it, but they have never experienced it up close. It is important for me and my family to educate those who just don’t know the answers, and, hopefully, with us coming out here, some of these youngsters will want to do what we do ... It has grown, and while they are around all of it, it is important that they are educated by it too.”

Montgomery agrees. “It is just a fantastic day,” he said. “It is truly making our students aware of the appreciation they should have for our military and, of course, for our veterans. It goes beyond our student body, it goes to our parents, our staff and to our community. Today these soldiers are inside the classrooms, answering questions one-on-one — it is a full discussion of the part that our military plays and the sacrifices they make to keep our world free ... it is very important.”

“I think it is a privilege to have these soldiers here,” said HCA teacher Jayne Green. “I think this brings it home for the students; it makes it more personal.”

“It is very interesting to see how these soldiers are helping our country,” said senior Blair Davis. “They are here and we can ask them questions about their jobs, what they do and why they serve.”

“I just appreciate them coming here because they are taking time out of their schedules to come and educate us,” said senior Chason Johnson. “For them to come here to our school and allow us to get on the helicopter is pretty exciting.”

Although walking through the largest helicopter in U.S. inventory is pretty cool, celebrating Veterans Day for the first time is also monumental, students and staff said.

“I think that it will really help us remember their service,” said Davis. “It is a good thing. It makes us aware of their sacrifice.”

“We obviously knew it was a holiday,” said Johnson, “but we really didn’t celebrate it much (here), and to have these guys come out and explain it to us, and to have it off, it means a lot.”

HCA educator Shaula Henderson, whose father is a veteran, said the step the school took this year is important to her as well.

“For me, personally, it is important to have Veterans Day off because my father is a Vietnam vet,” she said. “I was upset last year when we didn’t have it off; this year, I feel more comfortable with having the day off to honor these men and women who serve.”

“It is important,” said Lt. Col. Pinckney, whose three children go to the school. “It is not for me, it is important for the kids to know what the day is all about ... It is important for us, military families, to bring people in and let them know what it is all about. We are not asking anyone to serve, but we are just explaining the ‘why’ and hopefully, one day they can give thanks for those who served or are deployed and just appreciate what they do.”

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.